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Yellow booths and wooden tables fill a restaurant space. A long bar area is visible in the background. — The bright dining room at Bar Volpe in South Boston.

Where to Dine Solo Around Boston

Cozy bars, full-sized entrees, and friendly staff await at these local restaurants and bars

by Tanya Edwards and Eater Staff Updated Oct 3, 2023, 10:37am EDT

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The bright dining room at Bar Volpe in South Boston.

| Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

by Tanya Edwards and Eater Staff Updated Oct 3, 2023, 10:37am EDT

Don’t let sidling up solo to a table intimidate you. Whether you’re traveling or just want to try a new restaurant, it’s possible that the whole experience might be better if you’re alone. Why? You’ll likely get a front row seat at the bar or by the pickup window, and watching your cocktail or meal come together is worth putting your phone down for.

But what’s in a perfect solo dining experience? Look for a conversational, welcoming staff that can sense if you want to talk or be left alone, a menu that’s less about shareable plates and more sized for a single person and, of course, excellent food. Below, find 15 of the best places in Boston and just a bit beyond to enjoy your meal alone.

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Tsurumen Davis

With everything you could want in a ramen spot, Tsurumen delivers a nearly ideal single-diner experience. If it’s busy, you’re likely to be seated more quickly if you’re flying solo, and tucking into a steaming hot bowl of umami-rich ramen right away. Try the signature shio ramen, and be sure to add an extra egg.

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420 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02144

Visit Website

An overhead shot of a bowl of ramen with slabs of pork. — Tsurumen Ramen’s shoyu-style Formula 1985 ramen

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Giulia

This popular Italian spot is one of the trickiest reservations in town; dates open up two weeks in advance, and you can call or try your luck on Open Table. The space is tiny, so it’s absolutely worth rolling the dice for a walk-in seat at the bar. If dining alone, consider starting with the chicken liver crostini followed by the wild boar pappardelle, but it’s tough to go wrong with anything on the menu.

1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Visit Website

Closeup shot of thick pasta noodles covered in red sauce and grated parmesan cheese on a green ceramic plate. — Pasta at Giulia.

Also featured in:

A Guide to Holiday Dinners in the Twin Cities

Field & Vine

Guided by locally sourced ingredients, this oasis tucked off Somerville’s Union Square has a menu that’s always changing, but you’re sure to find something seasonal. Make a reservation specifically for the bar at this intimate restaurant; it’ll give you a front-row view into the bustling open kitchen. You’ll find a vegetable and seafood forward line-up of small plates. Two or three should be enough for one, and don’t miss the monkfish schnitzel or cheddar scallion cornbread if they’re on the menu.

Open in Google Maps

9 Sanborn Ct, Somerville, MA 02143

Visit Website

Sunlight streams through a large restaurant window that is mostly obscured by potted plants. There’s a rustic wooden wall, bench, chairs, and tables inside. — Field & Vine in Somerville’s Union Square.

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Puritan Oyster Bar

Will Gilson has added another spot to his growing empire, and it’s a banger. Located next to Puritan & Co., the Oyster Bar encourages walk-ins. Grab a spot at the counter and dive into mini lobster rolls, caviar cones and of course, a dozen oysters. The meal ends with smile-inducing complimentary Swedish fish.

1164 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Visit Website

Alcove

Steps away from TD Garden, but set back a bit from the bustle of Boston’s West End, Alcove is an upscale option that’s a standout in the neighborhood. The service is warm and hospitable without being cloying, and the staff will happily chat with you about the wine list or anything on the menu. Open for lunch and dinner, Alcove serves coastal New England cuisine — including a good number of full-size entrees — and features a solid cocktail list.

50 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, MA 02114

Visit Website

A wide shot of bar seating and tiered liquor bottles at a somewhat casual but polished restaurant — The bar at Alcove.

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Seabiscuit

Who wants to share a tiny, savory pie? Not likely. This casual Australian pie shop and cafe is where to go for a hot beef stew pie and a bottle of Bundaberg ginger beer at a cozy table inside or on the pretty patio. Afterwards, wander among the interesting art within the East Boston marina, and make a stop at the Downeast taproom to buy some cans of hard cider. If the weather is sunny, head down the street to Piers Park, which boasts some of the best skyline views of Boston.

Open in Google Maps

256 Marginal St Building 16, Boston, MA 02128

Visit Website

A small round savory pie sits on a red tray with a brown glass bottle of Bundaberg ginger beer visibile in the background. — Beef stew pie and Australian ginger beer at Seabiscuit in East Boston.

Also featured in:

15 Delightful Hidden Patios Around Boston

Neptune Oyster

Neptune Oyster is a standout example in Boston of a restaurant that’s an easy table (okay, bar seat) to snag if you’re a solo diner. The North End restaurant, home of one of the city’s best lobster rolls, packs in diners elbow-to-elbow but still sees hours-long waits a lot of the time. If you can’t walk right in and you’ve got time, put your name in and stroll around the North End.

63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113

Visit Website

The Maine lobster roll at Neptune Oyster is served on a grilled hot dog bun atop a white plate, and is accompanied by French fries and a ramekin of ketchup. — Maine lobster roll at Neptune Oyster.

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High Street Place

Most spots on this list involve eating at the bar or a quiet little nook, but this slick food hall deserves an overall endorsement for a great solo lunch or dinner. There’s always enough seating, and you can choose from Dive Bar’s raw seafood, Pennypacker’s sandwiches, Tenderoni’s pizza and lots more — then finish your meal with a sweet treat or a cocktail from Daiquiris and Daisies.

Open in Google Maps

100 High St, Boston, MA 02110

Visit Website

A lobster roll with lobster piled on a toasted bun shown from the side with sprigs of celery leaf on top. — The lobster roll at Dive Bar at High Street Place.

Also featured in:

Map Room Tea Lounge at Boston Public Library

Who doesn’t love a pairing of literature and lunch? You can drink cocktails and have a bite at the Boston Public Library’s beautiful main branch in Copley Square. The Map Room Tea Lounge is open for tea time reservations on Friday and Saturday afternoons or walk-in bar bites Wednesday through Saturday afternoons, featuring literature-inspired, tea-infused cocktails. The bar bite selection isn’t very extensive, but the ambiance is a must for book lovers, and the perfect mid-day escape for a solo explorer.

Open in Google Maps

230 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

Three arms come in from different sides of the photo, clinking three different cocktails at the Map Room Tea Lounge at Boston Public Library — Drinking and eating in the Boston Public Library.

Row 34

For visitors and locals, Row 34 is a casual and energetic favorite for feasting on modern New England seafood. It’s one of the best spots in town to grab a seat at the massive bar and devour a dozen oysters on a random afternoon. The restaurant also showcases a stellar lobster roll, snackable lettuce cups with fried oysters, and an excellent list of wines by the glass.

383 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

Visit Website

A whole cooked fish — small and silver, with dark stripes running across — sits on a round white plate with some greens on top. — A whole fish at Row 34.

Also featured in:

Uni

It almost feels like cheating to put Uni on this list, because the restaurant features so many dishes – like nigiri and a deep starters menu – that are best consumed alone. Don’t hurry when you grab a spot at the bar. Slow down and savor bites of wagyu temaki, miso eggplant and all the fresh sushi and sashimi your heart desires.

370A Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Visit Website

Also featured in:

13 Splurge-Worthy Tasting Menus Around Boston

Chickadee

It’s always a treat to enjoy award-winning food, and Chickadee — nominated by the James Beard Foundation in the Best New Restaurant category in 2019, and Best Chef: Northeast in 2022 — soars to the top. With a sprawling bar and welcoming staff, it’s usually easy to get a spot as a solo walk-in diner, and enjoy a dinner of small plates from chef John daSilva’s ever-changing menu. The chickpea panisse fries and crispy fried chicken are a forever must-order.

21 Drydock Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Lenox Sophia

A nearly ideal mix of a cool, casual vibe with high-end dining, Lenox Sophia is a favorite recently opened restaurant. The menu is a five-course prix-fixe affair, and for $99 you have the choice between omnivore and vegetarian. Make a reservation (or shoot your shot early on a weekday) for the chef’s counter and watch the chefs create your five-course French-inspired meal. Stop by Social Wines on the corner to pick out a bottle before heading over — this is one of the few BYOB restaurants in Boston.

87 A St, Boston, MA 02127

Visit Website

Bar Volpe

Chef Karen Akunowicz’s second restaurant in Southie has a 25-seat main bar housed in a former Airstream that’s been given a marble-topped, glamorous revamp before opening. It’s the perfect spot to set up shop for a solo meal of farro arancini, burrata pomodoro and lamb ragu orecchiette – or whatever you desire. The fare is made even better because you don’t have to share.

Open in Google Maps

170 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

Visit Website

Overhead view of a paella pan on a floor painted with a white and blue pattern. The pan is full of mussels and other shellfish over a coucous-like pasta. — Bar Volpe’s Sardinian paella.

Also featured in:

Where to Eat Excellent Italian Food Around Boston

The Haven

Boston’s Scottish headquarters, the Haven, is a great spot to cozy up alone with a glass of scotch or an interesting Scottish craft beer. The food is hearty, the hospitality is warm, and there’s often live music. It’s almost mandatory that you start with a Scotch egg, and the Haven’s juicy burger is definitely best enjoyed with focus. Room for dessert? Close out the night with “the braveheart of Scottish desserts”: a deep-fried Mars bar. Solo diners can reserve online or just show up.

JPNDC Brewery Complex, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Visit Website

A burger with the bun on the side and thick-cut fries arranged on a round plate. — Nothing hits quite like a late-night burger at the Haven.

Also featured in:

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Tsurumen Davis

420 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02144

With everything you could want in a ramen spot, Tsurumen delivers a nearly ideal single-diner experience. If it’s busy, you’re likely to be seated more quickly if you’re flying solo, and tucking into a steaming hot bowl of umami-rich ramen right away. Try the signature shio ramen, and be sure to add an extra egg.

Open in Google Maps

420 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02144

Visit Website

An overhead shot of a bowl of ramen with slabs of pork. — Tsurumen Ramen’s shoyu-style Formula 1985 ramen

Giulia

1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

This popular Italian spot is one of the trickiest reservations in town; dates open up two weeks in advance, and you can call or try your luck on Open Table. The space is tiny, so it’s absolutely worth rolling the dice for a walk-in seat at the bar. If dining alone, consider starting with the chicken liver crostini followed by the wild boar pappardelle, but it’s tough to go wrong with anything on the menu.

1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Visit Website

Closeup shot of thick pasta noodles covered in red sauce and grated parmesan cheese on a green ceramic plate. — Pasta at Giulia.

Field & Vine

9 Sanborn Ct, Somerville, MA 02143

Guided by locally sourced ingredients, this oasis tucked off Somerville’s Union Square has a menu that’s always changing, but you’re sure to find something seasonal. Make a reservation specifically for the bar at this intimate restaurant; it’ll give you a front-row view into the bustling open kitchen. You’ll find a vegetable and seafood forward line-up of small plates. Two or three should be enough for one, and don’t miss the monkfish schnitzel or cheddar scallion cornbread if they’re on the menu.

Open in Google Maps

9 Sanborn Ct, Somerville, MA 02143

Visit Website

Sunlight streams through a large restaurant window that is mostly obscured by potted plants. There’s a rustic wooden wall, bench, chairs, and tables inside. — Field & Vine in Somerville’s Union Square.

Puritan Oyster Bar

1164 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Will Gilson has added another spot to his growing empire, and it’s a banger. Located next to Puritan & Co., the Oyster Bar encourages walk-ins. Grab a spot at the counter and dive into mini lobster rolls, caviar cones and of course, a dozen oysters. The meal ends with smile-inducing complimentary Swedish fish.

1164 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Visit Website

Alcove

50 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, MA 02114

Steps away from TD Garden, but set back a bit from the bustle of Boston’s West End, Alcove is an upscale option that’s a standout in the neighborhood. The service is warm and hospitable without being cloying, and the staff will happily chat with you about the wine list or anything on the menu. Open for lunch and dinner, Alcove serves coastal New England cuisine — including a good number of full-size entrees — and features a solid cocktail list.

50 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, MA 02114

Visit Website

A wide shot of bar seating and tiered liquor bottles at a somewhat casual but polished restaurant — The bar at Alcove.

Seabiscuit

256 Marginal St Building 16, Boston, MA 02128

Who wants to share a tiny, savory pie? Not likely. This casual Australian pie shop and cafe is where to go for a hot beef stew pie and a bottle of Bundaberg ginger beer at a cozy table inside or on the pretty patio. Afterwards, wander among the interesting art within the East Boston marina, and make a stop at the Downeast taproom to buy some cans of hard cider. If the weather is sunny, head down the street to Piers Park, which boasts some of the best skyline views of Boston.

Open in Google Maps

256 Marginal St Building 16, Boston, MA 02128

Visit Website

A small round savory pie sits on a red tray with a brown glass bottle of Bundaberg ginger beer visibile in the background. — Beef stew pie and Australian ginger beer at Seabiscuit in East Boston.

Neptune Oyster

63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113

Neptune Oyster is a standout example in Boston of a restaurant that’s an easy table (okay, bar seat) to snag if you’re a solo diner. The North End restaurant, home of one of the city’s best lobster rolls, packs in diners elbow-to-elbow but still sees hours-long waits a lot of the time. If you can’t walk right in and you’ve got time, put your name in and stroll around the North End.

63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113

Visit Website

The Maine lobster roll at Neptune Oyster is served on a grilled hot dog bun atop a white plate, and is accompanied by French fries and a ramekin of ketchup. — Maine lobster roll at Neptune Oyster.

High Street Place

100 High St, Boston, MA 02110

Most spots on this list involve eating at the bar or a quiet little nook, but this slick food hall deserves an overall endorsement for a great solo lunch or dinner. There’s always enough seating, and you can choose from Dive Bar’s raw seafood, Pennypacker’s sandwiches, Tenderoni’s pizza and lots more — then finish your meal with a sweet treat or a cocktail from Daiquiris and Daisies.

Open in Google Maps

100 High St, Boston, MA 02110

Visit Website

A lobster roll with lobster piled on a toasted bun shown from the side with sprigs of celery leaf on top. — The lobster roll at Dive Bar at High Street Place.

Map Room Tea Lounge at Boston Public Library

230 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116

Who doesn’t love a pairing of literature and lunch? You can drink cocktails and have a bite at the Boston Public Library’s beautiful main branch in Copley Square. The Map Room Tea Lounge is open for tea time reservations on Friday and Saturday afternoons or walk-in bar bites Wednesday through Saturday afternoons, featuring literature-inspired, tea-infused cocktails. The bar bite selection isn’t very extensive, but the ambiance is a must for book lovers, and the perfect mid-day escape for a solo explorer.

Open in Google Maps

230 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

Three arms come in from different sides of the photo, clinking three different cocktails at the Map Room Tea Lounge at Boston Public Library — Drinking and eating in the Boston Public Library.

Row 34

383 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

For visitors and locals, Row 34 is a casual and energetic favorite for feasting on modern New England seafood. It’s one of the best spots in town to grab a seat at the massive bar and devour a dozen oysters on a random afternoon. The restaurant also showcases a stellar lobster roll, snackable lettuce cups with fried oysters, and an excellent list of wines by the glass.

383 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

Visit Website

A whole cooked fish — small and silver, with dark stripes running across — sits on a round white plate with some greens on top. — A whole fish at Row 34.

Uni

370A Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

It almost feels like cheating to put Uni on this list, because the restaurant features so many dishes – like nigiri and a deep starters menu – that are best consumed alone. Don’t hurry when you grab a spot at the bar. Slow down and savor bites of wagyu temaki, miso eggplant and all the fresh sushi and sashimi your heart desires.

370A Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Visit Website

Chickadee

21 Drydock Ave, Boston, MA 02210

It’s always a treat to enjoy award-winning food, and Chickadee — nominated by the James Beard Foundation in the Best New Restaurant category in 2019, and Best Chef: Northeast in 2022 — soars to the top. With a sprawling bar and welcoming staff, it’s usually easy to get a spot as a solo walk-in diner, and enjoy a dinner of small plates from chef John daSilva’s ever-changing menu. The chickpea panisse fries and crispy fried chicken are a forever must-order.

21 Drydock Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Visit Website

Lenox Sophia

87 A St, Boston, MA 02127

A nearly ideal mix of a cool, casual vibe with high-end dining, Lenox Sophia is a favorite recently opened restaurant. The menu is a five-course prix-fixe affair, and for $99 you have the choice between omnivore and vegetarian. Make a reservation (or shoot your shot early on a weekday) for the chef’s counter and watch the chefs create your five-course French-inspired meal. Stop by Social Wines on the corner to pick out a bottle before heading over — this is one of the few BYOB restaurants in Boston.

87 A St, Boston, MA 02127

Visit Website

Bar Volpe

170 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

Chef Karen Akunowicz’s second restaurant in Southie has a 25-seat main bar housed in a former Airstream that’s been given a marble-topped, glamorous revamp before opening. It’s the perfect spot to set up shop for a solo meal of farro arancini, burrata pomodoro and lamb ragu orecchiette – or whatever you desire. The fare is made even better because you don’t have to share.

Open in Google Maps

170 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

Visit Website

Overhead view of a paella pan on a floor painted with a white and blue pattern. The pan is full of mussels and other shellfish over a coucous-like pasta. — Bar Volpe’s Sardinian paella.

The Haven

JPNDC Brewery Complex, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Boston’s Scottish headquarters, the Haven, is a great spot to cozy up alone with a glass of scotch or an interesting Scottish craft beer. The food is hearty, the hospitality is warm, and there’s often live music. It’s almost mandatory that you start with a Scotch egg, and the Haven’s juicy burger is definitely best enjoyed with focus. Room for dessert? Close out the night with “the braveheart of Scottish desserts”: a deep-fried Mars bar. Solo diners can reserve online or just show up.

JPNDC Brewery Complex, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Visit Website

A burger with the bun on the side and thick-cut fries arranged on a round plate. — Nothing hits quite like a late-night burger at the Haven.

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